Marathon

Vietnamese Phạm Tiến Sản (left) and Kenyan Kipsang Charles race in the men's 42km category of the Hanoi International Marathon's (VPIM 2023) on October 8 in Hà Nội. Photo of VPBank

HÀ NỘI — SEA Games duathlon champion Phạm Tiến Sản left thousands of runners behind to win the 2023 VPBank Hanoi International Marathon (VPIM 2023)'s 42km category yesterday in Hà Nội.

Sản, who secured two SEA Games golds in 2021 and 2023, finished his race in 2hr 36.58min.

He was nearly a minute faster than Kenyan Kipsang Charles in second place and about 10 minutes ahead of amateur runner Đặng Anh Quyết.

On the women's side, pro runner Lèo Thị Tình had no worthy rival in the full marathon category. She won in a time of 3:04.53.

Amateur Nông Thị Chang (3:21.27) and Thái Thị Hồng (3:23.50) came second and third, respectively.

In the half marathon, Hà Văn Nhật (1:15.24), Hà Văn Dược (1:16.46) and Nguyễn Hoàng Hưng (1:17.36) took top three in the men's side.

Phạm Thị Huệ (1:18.44), Hà Thị Hậu (1:20.59) and Lê Minh Tuân (1:30.34) were winners of the women's side.

The organisers also presented awards to Lê Văn Thao and Khuất Phương Anh, champions of the men's and women's 10km and Trần Lê Hoàng and Nguyễn Thị Thành who crossed the finish lines of the men's and wonen's 5km categories.

Around 11,000 runners took part in the Hanoi International Marathon (VPIM 2023) on October 8 in Hà Nội. — Photo of VPBank

The VPIM 2023 lured more than 11,000 local and international, pro and amateur runners.

Within the framework of VPIM 2023, the first Mastercard Kids Run race took place with about 500 athletes aged from five to 10 years old running a 600m race and overcoming obstacles on Saturday.

All four disciplines of the tournament, which met international standards recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), started from the Hoàn Kiếm Lake and guided participants to run through the city's famous Old Quarter before touring through Hà Nội's iconic landmarks.

Athletes can use the results of VPIM 2023 to register for major races under the Six Majors system.

A total value of nearly VNĐ2 billion (US$82,000) including nearly VNĐ800 million in cash and many gifts from sponsors such as Anta, TH True Juice, California Fitness&Yoga and LynkiD, was delivered to the high-ranking athletes.

Runners in cosplays at the VPIM 2023.

Other sideliner awards include VNĐ 40 million for the most impressive cosplay and VNĐ50 million for the fastest running club.

VPIM 2023 was an annual event of Hà Nội, one of the key sports activities to celebrate the city's Liberation Day on October 10.

The tournament was organised by VPBank and operated by VnExpress Marathon, the owner of the largest running series in Việt Nam.

"For many years, VPBank has made great efforts towards "For a Prosperous Việt Nam" with specific actions, including organising major running events for the community," said Phạm Thị Nhung, deputy chief executive officer of VPBank.

"With a commitment to put athletes at the centre, VPIM organisers have strived to bring the best experiences for runners before, during and after the run."

Child runners faced obstacles during the Hanoi International Marathon (VPIM 2023) on Sunday in Hà Nội. — Photo of VPBank

As a non-profit race, all revenue of VPIM 2023 is invested back to improve the quality of the tournament focusing on runners, and is contributed to charity and social security activities.

In particular, each athlete registered to participate contributed VNĐ30,000 to a charity programme "Cặp Lá Yêu Thương" by VPBank and VTV that supported disadvantaged poor and disabled children.

Newborns, a non-governmental organisation from the UK, also received support from the VPIM 2023 runners in their effort to reduce neonatal mortality in Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on Việt Nam.

During the opening ceremony on October 6, VNĐ300 million was given to these two organisations. — VNS